Well reamer



May 7, 1940- A. c. cA'rLAND 2,199,693

WELL REAMER Filed Nov. 18, 1938 IE: E.

37 67 l `5 a 27 30 J N24 I www 9725* .Hf/avoria- Patented May 7, 1940UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE WELL REAMER Application November 18, 1938,Serial No. 241,205

9 Claims.

a reamer of the character mentioned in which the reaming cutters andtheir mounting elements l may be easily and quickly secured in place onthe reamer body and removed for replacement by unskilled workmen andwith simple, conventional tools.

Another object of this invention is to provide a Well reamer of thecharacter mentioned in which the blocks for carrying the cutter pins aredependably secured tc the reamer body by simple, positive means thatprevent the hammering and battering of the blocks against the reamerbody. i0 A further object of this invention is to provide a well reamerof the character mentioned emlbodying novel means for vsecuring andlocking the supporting blocks to the reamer body. Y

The various objects and features of my inven- 95 tion will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of typical .preferredforms and applications of the invention, throughout which descriptionreference is made to the acfco-mpanying drawing, in which:

Fig. lis a side elevation of the improved reamer of the presentinvention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal detailedsectional View illustrating one of the cutter units and its mountingmeans showingthe pin and screws in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a .fragmentary longitudinal detailed sectionalview taken asindicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is ai fragmentary verticalsectional view illustrating the manner in which the lock pin is held inplace, and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 `illustrating anothermanner of locking the screw in place.

The rotary well reamer of the present invention may be said to comprise,generally, a shank or body I0, a plurality of reaming cutter units I andmeans I2 for securing the cutter units II to the body. v

The reamer body I0 is an elongate member -intended to be connected in arotary well drilling string. 'Ihe body ID is provided at its oppositeends with suitable means for facilitating its connection inthe drillingstring. In the particular construction illustrated a tapered screwthreaded pin I3 is provided on the upper end of the body Ill and atapered threaded socket I4 is formed in the lower end of the body I0. Acentral longitudinal fluid passage I5 rextends through the body Il) fromone end to the other to handle the circulation fluid. The body I0 may beprovided with series of grooves dening annular wickers I6 adapted to beengaged by grappling tools.

The intermediate part lI'I of the body I0 is generally triangular incross section while the en d portions of the body may be cylindrical.'I'he vertical corners or apices of the triangular body part I'I arerounded off and a vertical or longi- 10 tudinal recess I8 is provided ineach of these corners. The recesses |8 are spaced between the upper andlower ends of the triangular part I'I and their upper and lower Wallsare preferably flat and substantially horizontal. v The inner 15 wallsof the recesses I8 are concave and in practice may be cylindricallycurved, as illustrated. Vertically aligned horizontal sockets I9 areprovided in the triangular body part I'I at the upper and lower ends oithe recesses I8. The sockets 20 IS are preferably in the. nature ofcylindrical bores extending radially into the triangular part I'I andhaving their longitudinal axes transverse of the longitudinal axes ofthe recesses I8. In accordance with the invention the bottoms or 25inner walls 2,0 of the sockets I9 are concave and conical. The socketsI9 join or communicate with the adjacent recesses` I8.- Thusthe socketsI9 above the recesses I8 have their lower portions in communication withthe recesses I8 and the 3|)`r sockets I9 below the recesses I8 khavetheir upper portions joining the recesses. The sockets I9 are providedtoreceive parts of the means I2 asl will be hereinafter'l described.

Each cutter unit I embodies a rotatable ream- 35I ing cutter 2|. Wherethe reamer body l0 has three recesses. I8, as4 above described, thereare three cutter units and a cutter 2| is disposed in each recess. Thecutters 2| are in the nature of elongate roller reaming cutters designedto 40V rotate about their longitudinal axes. The reaming cutters 2| aregenerally, cylindrical in shape and their lower portions .are-frusto-conical or tapered downwardly and inwardly.y The upper cornersof the `cutters 2| may-be bevelled olf. 45 Peripheral or externalcutting teeth 22 are-providedv on the cutters 2|. The-cuttingteeth 22may be of any selected or preferred design. lIn the typical caseillustrated the teeth 22 are in the nature of bevelled or sharpenedridges ex. ,50 tending longitudinally of the cutters-2| The tee-th 22maybe straight and axial and may eX- tend between the opposite endportions of the cutters 2|. It is to be understood that the cuttingteeth 22 of the cutters 2| may be pitched or 55 `V inclined, if desired.A central longitudinal opening 23 extends through each cutter 2|. Theopenings 23 are cylindrical and of uniform diameter except forenlargements or sockets 24 formed in the upper end portions of thecutters 2|. The opposite ends of the cutters 2| may be flat and thecutters are proportioned so that their ends are spaced from the endwalls of the recesses I8.

The cutter units I further include cutter carrying pins 25. The pins 25extend longitudinally through the cutter openings 23 and are suiiiciently long to project beyond the upper and lower ends of the cutters.The openings 23 receive the pins 25 with suitable clearance. Each pin 25has spaced annular grooves 23. In the construction illustrated there aretwo spaced grooves 26 in each cutter pin 25. The grooves 26 are locatedto be within the c-utter openings 23 and are preferably of substantialvertical extent or length. An annular ball race 2l is provided in eachcutter supporting pin 25. The races 2 are spaced above the uppermostgrooves 23 and are located to have their medial, horizontal ortransverse planes coincident with the bottoms of the sockets 24 in thecutters 2| The races 21 are of substantial depth having a transverse orvertical curvature of substantially Annular blocks or rings 28 aresecured in the sockets 24. The rings 28 receive or pass the pins 25 withsuitable clearance and bear inwardly or downwardly against the bottomwalls of the sockets 24. In the preferred construction the rings 23 areintegrally joined with the cutters 2|. Welding 29 at the upper ends ofthe rings 28 integrally joins the rings with the cutters 2|. Annularball races 3|] are provided to oppose the races 2l. The races 30 arepartly formed in the cutters 2| and partly formed in the rings 23. Thereare joining grooves provided in the bottoms of the sockets 24, where thesockets join the openings 23, and in the inner lower corners of therings 28 which grooves constitute the races 39. The arc of transversecurvature of the races 30 is substantially 180.

The cutter units further include anti-friction bearing elementssupporting the cutters 2| for free rotation on the pins 25. Rows ofballs 3| occupy the registering or opposing races 2l and 30. The balls3| of course assist in the transmission of radial loads and thrustsbetween `the cutters 2| and their pins 25. The balls 3| co" operatingwith the deep races 21 and 39 are operable to transmit both upward anddownward axial thrusts between the cutters 2| and the pins 25 andoperate to eiiectively hold the cutters against endwise movement in bothdirections. Series of roller bearings 32 cooperate with the walls of theopenings 23 and with the inner walls of the grooves 29 to transmitradial thrusts and loads between the cutters 2| and the pins 25. Theballs 3| and the rollers 32 support the cutters 2| for free rotation onthe pins 25.

The anti-friction bearing means described above forms the subject of myapplication Serial No. 260,973, iled March l0, 1939, as a division ofthis application.

The means |2 for securing the cutter' units to the body il) are suchthat the units may be easily and quickly applied to the body and easilyremoved from the body for replacement. The means l 2 include blocks 33inserted in the sockets I9. The blocks 33 are cylindrical or circularand accurately fit the sockets I9. The inner ends of the blocks 33 areconical and evenly bear on the conical concave bottom walls 2|) of thesockets I9. The blocks 33 preferably have flat horizontal faces 49 atthe upper and lower walls of the recesses i8. Central longitudinalopenings 34 extend through the blocks 33. Each block 33 has a radialopening 35 receiving a projecting end portion of a cutter supporting pin25. The pins 25 accurately or tightly t the openings 35. The pinreceiving openings 35 join the longitudinal openings 34 of the blocks33. Notches 3E are provided in the opposite ends of the pins 25. Thenotches 35 have cylindric-ally curved walls which are ush with the wallsof the longitudinal openings 34. The openings 34 are counterbored orprovided at their outer ends with sockets 37. The notches 33 arecorrespondingly counterbored or enlarged to have portions ush with thewalls of the sockets 31. The counterboring or enlarging of the notches33 provides the notches with outwardly fac-ing shoulders 38.

The means |2 further include screws 39 for securing the blocks 33 to thebody l0. The screws 39 are passed inwardly through the openings 34 andtheir inner portions are threaded in radial sockets 49 in the body l0.The screws 39 are cap screws and have cylindrical heads 4| received inthe sockets 3l and the enlarged portions of the notches 36. The heads 4|are entirely received in the sockets 3l and the registering portions ofthe notches 33. The parts may be related and proportioned so that theinner ends of the screw heads 4| bear inwardly against the shoulders 38.The screws 39 may be tightened down to securely hold the blocks 33against movement. The engagement of the screws 39 and their heads 4| in1.-'

the notches 36 dependably holds the pins 25 against longitudinalmovement and turning. Wrench receiving sockets 42 are provided in theheads 4| of the screws 39.

Means are provided to lock the screws 39 against unthreading. Horizontalopenings or grooves 43 are provided in the triangular body part aboveand below the recesses 8. Openings 44 are provided in the blocks 33 toregister with the grooves 43. The openings 44 are tangential withrespect to the sockets 3T. The heads 4| of the attaching screws 39 areprovided with longitudinal knurling or teeth 45. Mild steel rods 4Sarepassed or driven through the openings 44 to cooperate with the screwheads 4|. The rods 46 engage the teeth 45 and the teeth distort orroughen the rods 4E. The engagement of the rods 46 with the teeth 45dependably holds the screws 39 against unthreading and prevents loss ordisplacement of the rods. The opposite end portions of the rods 46project into the grooves 43 and may be bent over as shown at 48, Fig. 4,to prevent loss or detachment of the rods.

In assembling a cutter unit the rollers 32 are rst inserted in theirgrooves 26 and are temporarily secured therein by stiff grease or thelike. The pin 25 carrying the rollers 32 is then inserted through theopening 23 of the cutter 2|. The balls 3| are entered through the socket24 to their positions in the race 21 and the part of the race 3|! in thecutter 2|. Following the insertion of the balls 3| the ring 28 is set inthe socket 24 and welded to the cutter 2|. The welding 29 may then beground off. The blocks 33 are arranged on the projecting end portions ofthe pin 25 and the unit is ready for attachment to the body Hl. Thecutter unit .is moved radially inward with respect to the b'ody D toenter the blocks 33 in the sockets I9. When the blocks have been seatedin the sockets I9 the screws 39 are passed through the openings 34 andthreaded in the sockets 49. The rods 46 are then driven into theopenings 43 and 44 to lock the screws 39 against unthreading.

In the operation of the reamer the body l may be connected in a rotarywell drilling string and the latter may be operated in the well in theusual manner. When the drilling string is rotated the reaming cutters 2|act on the side Wall of the well to ream the same. The cutter supportingpins 25 are dependably secured to the body lll by the means l2. The capscrews 39 securely retain the blocks 33 in their sockets I9 andcooperate with the notches 36 to hold the pins against axial movementand to prevent turning of the pins 25. The conical inner ends of theblocks 33 cooperating with the conical bottom walls 2li of the socketsI9 assist in preventing hammering and battering of the blocks 33 in thesockets. The conical ends of the blocks 33 and the conical socket walls29 cooperate to convert the thrusts on the blocks to tensile strains onthe screws 39. The screws 39 are of substantial diameter to resist theseforces and any elongation of the screws under the tensile strains ismerely temporary and the screws return to their normal length when thestrains are removed.

Whenl it is desired to replace a cutter unit Il the mild steel rods 46are removed by driving them from the openings 44 and the screws 39 areunthreaded and removed. With the removal of the screws 39 the cutterunit Il together with the blocks 33 is freed for disconnection from thebody l0. It is to be observed that the disconnection of the units fromthe body may be accomplished by the use of simple, conventional toolsand does not require special care.

Fig. of the drawing illustrates another means for locking the screws 39against unthreading. In the construction illustrated in Fig. 5 theopenings 44a in the blocks 33ab are enlarged or counterbored at one end.The counterbored portions of the openings Mab join the sockets 3la inthe blocks 33a. Locking rods 46a are inserted in the openings 44a. Heads5| are provided on the rods 46a and are threaded in the counterboredportions of the openings 44a. Sharp annular shoulders 52 are provided onthe rods 46a and are adapted to cooperate with the teeth or knurling 45of the screw heads 4I. When the heads 5| of the rods ita are threaded inthe openings 44a the shoulders 52 engage the teeth or knurling 45 toturn or to tend to turn the screws 39 in the direction to tighten thescrews. The heads 5l are preferably provided with sockets for receivinga tool to facilitate the turning and threading of the rods 46a. Theplain or inner ends of the rods 46a preferably extend into a groove 43and may be bent over at 48a to lock the rods 43a against unthreading. Itwill be apparent how the shoulders 52 of the rods 46e cooperating withthe teeth or knurling 45 dependably hold the screws 39 againstunthreading.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A well reamer comprising a body having spaced sockets, a reamingcutter, a pin carrying the cutter and projecting from the opposite endsof the cutter, blocks arranged on the projecting and lateral openingsjoining the first named openings and receiving the end portions of thepin, and screws passing through said rst named openings and attachingthe blocks to the body and cooperating with the pin to hold the pinagainst rotation.

.3. A well reamer comprising a body having a recess and lateral socketbores at the upper and lower ends of the recess, a cutter in the recess,a pin carrying the cutter and projecting from the upper and lower endsof the cutter, blocks fitted in said bores and having longitudinalopenings and having lateral openings joining the longitudinal openingsand receiving the end portions of the pin, said pin having notches inits ends, and screws passing through the said longitudinal openings andthreaded into the body to attach the blocks to the body and cooperatingwith said notches to prevent rotation and axialk movement of the pin. v

4. A well reamer comprising a body having a recess and lateral socketbores at the upper and lower ends of the recess, a cutter in the recess,a pin carrying the cutter and projecting from the upper and lower endsof the cutter, blocks tted in said bores and having longitudinalopenings and having lateral openings joining the longitudinal openingsand receiving the end portions of the pin, said pin having notches inits ends, screws passing through said longitudinal openings and threadedinto the body, said screws engaging the notches to hold the pinI againstrotation, heads on the screws bearing in the said longitudinal openingsto secure the blocks to the body, and removable means cooperating withthe said heads to hold the screws yagainst unthreadlng.

5. A well reamer including a body having spaced parallel lateralsockets, the inner walls of the sockets being conical, a cutter, a. pinpassing through the cutter to carry the same and projecting from theopposite ends of the cutter, blocks having openings receiving the endportions of the pin, the blocks being insertable in the sockets to mountthe cutter pin on the body,

the inner ends of the blocks being conical to engage with the conicalinner walls of the sockets, and screws attaching the blocks to the bodyand urging the b-locks inwardly in the sockets.

6. In a well tool, a body, a cutter supporting pin, and means mountingthe pin on the body including blocks on the end portions of the pin, theblocks having openings passing through them and second openingsextending in transverse tangential relation to the rst named openingsand' cluding blocks on the end portions of the pin, the blocks havingopenings passing through them and second openings extending intransverse tangential relation to the rst named openings and joining thesaid first named openings, screws passing through said first namedopenings and threaded into the body, heads on the screws engaging insaid rst named openings to attach the blocks to the body, teeth on saidheads, the body having grooves registering with said second openings,and rods in said second openings engaging the said teeth to preventunthreading of the screws, the rods having end portions bent over in thegrooves to prevent displacement of the rods.

8. In a well tool, a body, a cutter supporting pin, and means mountingthe pin on the body including blocks on the end portions of the pin, theblocks having openings passing through them and second openingsextending in transverse tangential relation to the irst named openingsand joining the said first named openings, screws passing through saidrst named openings and threaded into the body, heads on the screwsengaging in said first named openings to attach the blocks to the body,teeth on said heads, and rods threaded in said second openings andcooperating with the said teeth to prevent unthreading of the screws.

9. In a well tool, a body, a cutter supporting pin, and means mountingthe pin on the body including blocks on the end portions of the pin, theblocks having openings passing through them and second openingsextending in transverse tangential relation to the first named openingsand joining the said first named openings, screws passing through saidfirst named openings and threaded into the body, heads on the screwsengaging in said first named openings to attach the blocks to the body,teeth on said heads, rods threaded in said second openings, andshoulders on the rods cooperating with said teeth to hold the screwsagainst unthreading.

ALFRED C. CATLAND.

